Underworld, the battle between Sun Wukong and Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva continued.

As everyone expected, an invisible black aura appeared behind Sun Wukong.

This was the Underworld's karmic backlash.

Only the denizens of Underworld could feel it.

It wasn't any sort of evil curse, merely the Underworld's repulsion against outsiders.

Womb of the Earth observed the black aura gradually shroud Sun Wukong's back and creep up to his cuffs.

Sun Wukong seemed completely unaware. After fighting for some time, he got bored. With a flick of his staff, he flung the Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva into the air and did not pursue any further.

"Why..."

Womb of the Earth dusted himself off and stood up from the ruins: "Why did you stop attacking?"

"You're such a dull Bodhisattva."

Sun Wukong replied: "There's no fun in this fight."

"Where is your Diting?"

He asked: "Where is it?"

The Bodhisattva shook his head while pondering how to provoke Sun Wukong into another flurry of attacks, only to see Sun Wukong shake his sleeves, dispersing the black aura that clung to his cuff.

Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva stood frozen in place.

"You—"

He watched Sun Wukong, his trembling hand rattling his tin staff.

"What's wrong with me?"

As Sun Wukong spoke, he cleared away the black aura from his body, leaving no trace.

Womb of the Earth silently recited Buddhist Scripture, gradually calming his mind.

"Why are you not repelled by the Underworld?"

He asked.

Dispelling karma so easily, Sun Wukong clearly was not repelled by the Underworld.

Hearing the query, Sun Wukong let out a cold snort: "What do you think I served as a Ghost Messenger for?"

Indeed, he had faced strong rejection in the Underworld.

But since Sun Wukong resolved the issue with the souls in the City of the Dead, he was no longer repelled by the Underworld.

Now, he could unleash his full power in this place.

Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva heard the reason, his complexion turning pale once again.

Was he beaten up for nothing?

"Since Diting is not here."

Sun Wukong continued: "Call over your other helpers."

Womb of the Earth knitted his brows: "What are you talking about?"

"All the Immortals in the Three Realms are watching this place; there must be a reason?"

Sun Wukong said.

He knew many were peering into the Underworld, thus he reserved his strength, ready to face any unexpected events.

But as no surprise came after so long, he decided to state his intentions outright.

Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva let out a sigh: "Houtu Niangniang was indeed supposed to come, but as of now, it is truly just this poor monk."

Although Houtu Niangniang had different ideas from him, both wished to stop Sun Wukong from taking over the Underworld.

Sun Wukong grew curious: "Then why didn't she come?"

"It's too early."

Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva responded.

"Early?"

Sun Wukong was puzzled: "What do you mean?"

"It's not yet time for Niangniang to rise."

Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva answered.

After pondering for a long while, Sun Wukong found no way to contest this reason.

"Well then, since there are no helpers, it might as well end here."

Sun Wukong raised the Jingu Bang, its body steaming with heat, emanating a destructive aura capable of obliteration.

Once he got serious, the rings on the tin staff held by Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva began to tremble violently, emitting a shrill sound.

Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva's face grew tense.

This staff was his Lifebound Treasure for enlightening lost souls; the sound of the rings indicated the foreboding power of Sun Wukong to vanquish him.

"My apologies!"

The ground beneath Sun Wukong's feet started to crumble.

"Use the Bright Pearl!"

A voice suddenly rang out beside the Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva.

"Buddha!"

Without time to think, the Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva immediately took off the necklace around his neck and tossed the magical bead into the air.

As the bead soared into the air, it suddenly burst into brilliant light, like a small sun, illuminating the entire Underworld.

Sun Wukong halted his assault, looking up at the Bright Pearl, feeling that this power was not from the Underworld.

The exposed lonely souls and wandering ghosts scattered in panic, as if they had met their nemesis.

Throughout the Ghost Gate, not a single spirit dared to stand on the ground—except for those Ghost Messengers who had just been converted.

But this light had no effect on Sun Wukong; he shifted his gaze and asked, "What kind of treasure is this?"

"The Bright Pearl, it can reveal the truest aspect of all things."

The Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva spoke with a solemn look on his face as he observed Sun Wukong in the light.

He saw the Jade Seal within Sun Wukong's body, and the absence of any tainted aura about him.

He did not resemble the Demon King who wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace, but rather a true Heavenly Emperor.

"Pure and flawless..."

That perfect demeanor slightly shook the Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva's heart.

He shifted his gaze towards the Ghost Messengers.

Those Ghost Messengers seemed to have become translucent too, with their tranquil soul fires visible within.

"I see..."

A glint of realization flashed in the Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva's eyes.

"You've made a big mistake."

He said to Sun Wukong.

"What?"

Sun Wukong was completely baffled.

"Those Ghost Messengers do not belong to you."

The Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva said: "They are free."

Though created by Sun Wukong, their bodies were clean and luminous, showing no signs of being bound by anyone.

They had no emotions, only absolute rationality, which meant—those Ghost Messengers had no loyal hearts; they would wisely choose whom to serve.

"Buddha and the Jade Emperor both consider Sun Wukong an enemy; he will not live past fifty years."

Turning around, the Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva spoke to the Ghost Messengers: "You are the Ghost Messengers. Why not join me and drive him out? In five hundred years, I can grant you freedom too."

He was undermining Sun Wukong's influence right in front of him.

However, after some deliberation, the Ghost Messengers declined the Bodhisattva's recruitment.

"How is this possible."

The Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva, who thought it was a sure bet, felt surprised.

In theory, his promise to the Ghost Messengers should be more reliable than Sun Wukong's; all beings of the Three Realms knew that Sun Wukong was bound to meet a dire end.

Why would these absolutely rational Ghost Messengers refuse?

"I thought it was a big deal."

Sun Wukong couldn't help but laugh: "Bodhisattva, you're wasting your efforts."

The reason he didn't bind these Ghost Messengers was that knowledge itself is a constraint.

The Wanling Heavenly Dao shaped the ideology of the Ghost Messengers; because of it, these Ghost Messengers would absolutely never betray the Wanling Heavenly Dao, nor would they betray him.

"To earn their allegiance."

Sun Wukong said: "There's only one way."

He extended an invitation to the Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva: "Join me, learn the Wanling Heavenly Dao, and together we can change the Three Realms!"

The Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva faced him, expression grave.

"I can't do it."

He understood the Ghost Messengers' perspective.

However, even if he joined the Wanling Heavenly Dao, he couldn't make them switch sides.

How could those who learn the Heavenly Dao compete with the Heavenly Dao itself?

And Sun Wukong...

He WAS the Heavenly Dao!

The Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva, looking at the Wanling image within Sun Wukong's body, once again lifted his Tin Staff.

The next moment, the Heavenly Dao turned into flames and charged towards him.

The Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva, with no way to resist, was struck and sent flying once again.

But this time, his body felt like it was tearing apart, throbbing with intense pain.

As if it was falling to pieces.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.